Paranoia

There is no sound other than the tap, tapping of booted footsteps on the cracked tarmac . The occasional car rushes past where there is light. No light shines down here. 1

Tap Tap. The wind whispers soft seduction from the branches of the overgrown trees that have smothered all traces of light that struggles forth from the dilapidated street-lamp half way down the street. 2

Tap tap. Light floods over me as i reach the sanctuary of the bright light at the end of the road. There is a figure walking towards me. I can't see them properly. It's all flooding over me. The cars are too loud and they all drive too close to the pavement. So easy for a driver to take a pot shot at me. 3

Tap Tap. The figure gains on me. Why does it walk so fast? Why can I not hear it walking? Is it creeping? Creeping up behind me? How will it kill me? Will it use a garrote? Choke the last breath out of me before leaving me, crumpled on the cold, wet pavement? Or maybe it will stab me? So much quicker and less chance of getting caught. Just a quick jerk of the wrist as it passes me and I'll be dead. Slumped half in the road with my blood pooling out of me. 4

Tap Tap. Im running now. Trying against all odds to keep a rational thought. There are killers in the cars that scream past me; killers in the shadows I try to lurk in; killers in the figures I see walking around me; they're all going to kill me. 5

Tap Tap. Tap Tap. Tap Tap. Tap Tap. Tap Tap. Tap Tap. Tap Tap. Tap Tap.6

Lady, please don't let them hurt me. Please don't let them hurt me! 7

Tap Tap. 8

They're all touching me. Pushing me. Shoving me. I'm on my knees. I can't breathe! Please Lady don't let them hurt me. I don't want to die. Please Lady...Touching me...Garotted...slumped on the road with...Tap T... Killers in the...Cold, wet pavem...I'll be dead...I'll be dead...I'll be dead...9

"There's nothing to see. Go on the lot of you! Go home!" The teacher runs along the road. I've made a personal best. I got half way along Topcliffe Road. "Come on all of you. For the last time GO HOME! Ma'at has just had a little moment again..."10